Here’s the news from Interfaith Action of Southwest Florida …

NFWM had some fantastic news today: Alderman Farms and Lady Moon Farms, two of Florida's largest organic growers, have agreed to pass the penny-per-pound wage increase onto farmworkers!!

Whole Foods Market confirmed today that Alderman Farms and Lady Moon Farms have reached agreements with Whole Foods to support the CIW's penny-per-pound program and meet strict labor standards. This step forward by Alderman Farms and Lady Moon Farms effectively breaks the stalemate established nearly two seasons ago when the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange (FTGE) threatened to fine any of its members that sold tomatoes under the terms of the CIW agreements.

Overview
The National Farm Worker Ministry began working with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers in response to a request for support during their month-long hunger strike in 1998. Since that time, NFWM has been active in CIW's campaigns to bring giant fast food corporations, supermarkets and the tomato industry to act as responsible corporations throughout their supply chains.

NFWM is an endorser of the Alliance for Fair Food (AFF). The AFF is a network of human rights, religious, student, labor, sustainable food and agriculture, environmental and grassroots organizations who work in partnership with the CIW. The AFF promotes principles and practices of socially responsible purchasing in the corporate food industry.

The NFWM and the AFF have supported the CIW through advocacy and public action. The AFF, with its partner the Presbyterian Church (USA)Campaign for Fair Food, has three major principles:

• Farm worker wages must immediately increase.
• Farm workers are entitled to participate as full partners in the decisions that affect their lives.
• Any industry-wide Code of Conduct must be developed with the full participation of farm workers.

Modern Day Slavery
NFWM supports the CIW in their fight against modern day slavery in the fields of Florida. There have been seven cases of slavery convictions in Florida in the last decade. The agreements reached by the CIW with YUM Brands, McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway and Whole Foods include a “Code of Conduct” that includes protection of workers rights and freedoms. (http://www.ciw-online.org/slavery.html)

Recently, Florida Governor Charlie Crist met with members of the CIW. In a follow up letter to the CIW he wrote, in part:

• “I have no tolerance for slavery in any form, …I am committed to eliminating this injustice…."
• “I support the Coalition’s Campaign for Fair Food….I commend these purchasers for their participation ….I encourage the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange …to participate…”

Read the full context of the letter at: www.ciw-online.org

We thank all of you who worked with us – gathering signatures, writing letters, and attending the Tallahasee press conference encouraging Gov. Crist to meet with the CIW. He listened! We look forward to working with the CIW in his fulfillment of their intentions.